Tara Humphrey looks behind the scenes at the business side of healthcare by talking to NHS and private healthcare leaders. Throughout this podcast, she also shares her own leadership insights. Tara has an MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management and is the Founder and CEO of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy.
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August 12, 202642 min
#382 The Mesh Scandal with Dr Wael Agur
One of our most popular episodes is back. This conversation continues to resonate with listeners and remains one of our favourite episodes of The Business of Healthcare Podcast. In this episode, Tara is joined by Dr Wael Agur, Consultant Gynaecologist and Urogynaecology Subspecialist, to explore the rise and fall of transvaginal mesh. Together, they discuss how mesh became widely adopted, the devastating impact on many women, and the lessons healthcare must learn about patient safety, informed consent and the introduction of new medical technologies. In this episode, Tara and Wael discuss: How transvaginal mesh became widely used across healthcare. Why patient consent and shared decision-making are so important. The impact the mesh scandal has had on patients, clinicians and public trust. The role of manufacturers, regulation and clinical evidence. The ethical challenges surrounding innovation in healthcare. What the NHS and wider healthcare system can learn from the mesh scandal. How healthcare leaders can balance innovation with patient safety. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Lexacom. Lexacom has been supporting healthcare professionals for over 25 years with NHS-compliant clinical documentation solutions, including speech recognition, ambient AI consultation notes and workflow tools used across primary care. To learn more about Lexacom, contact their Sales Team here , call 01295 236910, or email Andrew directly here .
July 29, 202632 min
#381 Can OpenEHR Fix Healthcare's Data Problem? With Kanthan Theivendran
Healthcare organisations generate huge amounts of data every day, but what happens when those systems can't communicate with one another? In this episode of The Business of Healthcare, Tara is joined by Professor Kanthan Theivendran, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Professor in Engineering at Aston University and digital health leader, to explore how OpenEHR could help solve one of healthcare's biggest digital challenges. Together, they discuss why interoperability matters, how open standards can improve patient care, and what healthcare leaders should consider when implementing digital innovation. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why healthcare data is often siloed What OpenEHR is and why it matters The benefits of open standards and interoperable systems Lessons from implementing Open Outcomes in the NHS Building business cases for digital innovation AI in healthcare, and why better data should come first Creating digital strategies that support clinicians and patients This conversation challenges us to think beyond the latest technology trends and consider what truly enables better, more connected care. Contact Kanthan directly on X here , LinkedIn here , or visit the openOutcomes digital PROMS and PREMs here.
July 15, 202644 min
#380 The Business of Community Pharmacy with Shilpa Shah
What does community pharmacy really contribute to the NHS, and why is it still so often misunderstood? In this episode, Tara is joined once again by Shilpa Shah, CEO of Community Pharmacy North East London, an award-winning pharmacist and Royal Pharmaceutical Society Fellow with more than 26 years of experience in community pharmacy. Together, they explore: How Pharmacy First is transforming patient care and easing pressure on GP practices. Why stronger collaboration between community pharmacy, primary care and neighbourhood teams is essential. The financial realities facing pharmacies, from funding gaps to medicine shortages. The growing role of prevention, independent prescribing and community-based healthcare. Practical examples of innovation and leadership that demonstrate the untapped potential of community pharmacy. Drawing on her extensive leadership experience and passion for championing the profession, Shilpa shares honest insights into the challenges pharmacies face every day, and why investing in community pharmacy is key to building a more sustainable NHS.
July 8, 202617 min
#379 Six Lessons for Leading in a Complex System
What does it really take to lead in a complex healthcare system? In this solo episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara shares six practical reflections from her recent work across primary care, neighbourhood development, leadership programmes, and NHS transformation. Whether you're leading a PCN, managing change across organisations, or simply trying to work more effectively within the NHS, this episode offers practical lessons and reflections you can apply immediately. In this episode, Tara discusses: Why understanding the wider healthcare context changes how you lead The importance of making it easy for people to work with you Navigating competing stakeholder perspectives in complex systems What "form follows function" means in neighbourhood working Burnout, boundaries, and protecting your energy as a leader Auditing your time and identifying repetitive tasks for AI and automation Revisit the episodes Tara mentions here; Episode 373 with Bobbi Pozzoni Child Episode 368 with Ben Gowland
July 1, 202642 min
#378 The Broken Dictaphone That Started a 26-Year Business with Andrew Whiteley
What does it take to build a healthcare technology company that survives 26 years of NHS change? In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara speaks with Andrew Whiteley, former GP and CEO of Lexacom, he shares how a simple frustration in general practice evolved into a business supporting thousands of clinicians, why innovation should always solve real-world problems, and how the rapid rise of AI is changing clinical documentation without compromising security or usability. The conversation also explores what happens when things don't go to plan, rebuilding customer trust after a difficult product rollout, and why listening to users remains at the heart of long-term success. In this episode, Andrew discusses: Building products around clinicians' real-world challenges Balancing AI innovation with patient privacy and data security Leading a business through setbacks and rebuilding customer trust The importance of customer feedback in shaping product development Staying focused while competitors enter the market Lessons learned from 26 years of building in healthcare This episode is a conversation about innovation with purpose, resilient leadership, and creating technology that genuinely helps clinicians spend more time with patients. To learn more about Lexacom, contact the Sales Team here, call 01295 236910, or email Andrew directly here .
June 24, 2026Episode 37723 min
#377 Behind the Business: Sponsors, Study, Mentorship and Not Needing to Be the Lead
In this solo episode, Tara Humphrey opens up on a good day, after recording her last two solo episodes on harder ones. She shares the context that grief continues to give to how she shows up, and reflects on hearing Emilie Kiser on the Jay Shetty podcast speak about navigating work and life after losing her son. Tara wanted to record this episode in the hope it might help someone in her audience who is moving slowly forward too. From there, Tara shares what's going on behind the business, starting with a milestone she's genuinely excited about: the podcast's first ever paid sponsor. About the sponsor, Lexacom Tara is delighted to welcome Lexacom as the first paid sponsor of The Business of Healthcare. She explains why she waited for the right partner rather than taking the first offer. Lexacom has been trusted for more than 25 years and was designed by a GP specifically for healthcare. Its clinical documentation platform brings digital dictation, ambient AI voice technology, speech recognition (Lexacom Echo), customisable workflows and patient messaging into one place, all built to NHS standards with data held securely in the UK. The aim is simple: less admin, more time with patients, across the whole practice team rather than per individual licence. Find out more: https://bit.ly/THCLexacom In this episode, Tara shares: Why she's recording on a good day, and the context grief gives to how she shows up Welcoming Lexacom as the podcast's first paid sponsor, and why she chose them rather than taking the first offer Gary Hughes joining THC Primary Care as an associate writer, bringing the general practice voice alongside Tara's PCN voice, and the ambition to add pharmacy, optometry and dentistry over time Every Move Counts: the friendly movement challenge she runs with Dr Dan Bunstone and Phin Robinson, free on the GoJoe Aapp, with one aim, getting a million health and care professionals moving more Her role as interim business manager at North & East Isle of Wight PCN, why she loves being operational, and the line she keeps coming back to: everyone wants to be a leader, no one wants to be a manager Her interim neighbourhood lead role for CVD on the Isle of Wight, and the challenge of bringing stakeholders together with a compelling why but little time or funding Going back to being a student with a Level 2 certificate in public health, and joining the NHS AI Ambassadors Made in Health: the community Tara started for people building non-clinical, admin and managerial AI tools, and her honest struggle with being looked to as the expert when she just wants to learn Reflections on PCN Plus Live, run in partnership with Ben Gowland, Dr Hussein Gandhi and Dr Andy Foster, including a moment of frustration she regrets Her upcoming keynote at the South London PCN Leaders Conference: "This is where we are now. What are you going to do about it?" Asking Dr Ursula Montgomery to mentor her, the story of how mentorship changed her career, and why being a good mentee means doing the work, not waiting to be led Connect with Tara: THC Primary Care: https://www.thcprimarycare.co.uk/ The Business of Healthcare: https://thebusinessofhealthcare.org/
June 17, 202643 min
#376 Building a Pharmacy Business in a Constantly Changing NHS with Shaun Hockey
What does it take to build and sustain a healthcare business through more than two decades of NHS change? In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara is joined by Shaun Hockey, Managing Director of Medacy Ltd. Drawing on 22 years of experience as both a pharmacist and business owner, Shaun reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship in healthcare, the evolution of pharmacy services within primary care, and the lessons learned from building and leading a successful organisation. In this episode, Shaun discusses: His journey from pharmacist to business owner Building a healthcare business through changing NHS landscapes Managing imposter syndrome and leading with confidence Recruitment, retention, and workforce challenges in primary care Supporting pharmacists working within PCNs The importance of governance, supervision, and quality assurance Organisational culture when teams work across multiple organisations Why resilience and perseverance matter in healthcare leadership This episode explores the realities of building a healthcare business, navigating uncertainty, and responding to the opportunities and challenges facing primary care today. To learn more about Medacy, visit their website , connect with Shaun on LinkedIn , or reach out to him directly via WhatsApp .
June 3, 202628 min
#375 Both Sides of the Table: An HR Professional on Taking Voluntary Redundancy from the NHS with Sarah Boxall
What happens when an HR professional finds themselves on the other side of redundancy? In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara is joined by Sarah Boxall, HR and recruitment professional with more than 20 years of experience across the private sector, local government, higher education, and the NHS. Sarah offers a unique perspective on navigating organisational change, career uncertainty, and the realities of looking for work during a period of significant transformation across the health and care system. Sarah shares practical advice for anyone facing change, considering their next career move, or supporting others through workforce transitions. In this episode, Sarah discusses: What redundancy feels like from the employee perspective, even when the process is handled well The emotional reality of delivering difficult news as an HR professional Why uncertainty can be more challenging than change itself How to approach job searching during periods of organisational disruption The importance of maintaining an up-to-date CV Understanding the "hidden job market" and where opportunities are often found Using LinkedIn effectively to build connections and discover new roles Identifying your non-negotiables when considering your next career move Managing mindset, resilience, and confidence during periods of career transition Why flexibility, purpose, and job satisfaction matter as much as salary This is an honest and practical conversation for anyone navigating workforce change, supporting colleagues through uncertainty, or considering what comes next in their own career. Find Sarah on LinkedIn here .
May 20, 202640 min
#374 Community pharmacy and general practice integration with Michael Lennox, National Pharmacy Association
In this episode of the Business of Healthcare podcast, Tara is joined by pharmacy leader and self-described "serial integrator" Michael Lennox for a passionate conversation about the relationship between community pharmacy and general practice, and why working together is essential for the future of healthcare. Michael shares how two decades in healthcare leadership shaped his belief that seamless, connected care is healthcare's real superpower. Together, they explore why integration still feels frustratingly out of reach, despite years of reforms, new structures, and ambitious NHS plans. The conversation covers the tension between independent contractor models and integrated care, the 'Cinderella syndrome' community pharmacy often experiences, and why both pharmacy and general practice are often fighting the same battles without realising it. Michael & Tara also discuss: Why conferences can create a 'bungee effect' of motivation How to keep momentum alive after inspiration fades Rapid Action Teams and solving problems quickly at a local level The importance of celebrating frontline success stories Why optimism still matters in healthcare leadership This is an honest, energetic and hopeful conversation about collaboration, leadership and building better systems from the ground up. Learn more about the conference being held on 21 and 22 June 2026 here . Email Michael here or find Michael on LinkedIn here .
May 6, 202643 min
#373 Leading Through Complexity: Careers, Collaboration & Change in Primary Care With Bobby Pozzoni-Child
In this episode, Tara speaks with Bobby Pozzoni-Child, Director of Partnerships and Transformation for the Primary Care Provider Collaborative Together, they explore what it really means to work across a complex healthcare system, from understanding "place" and "neighbourhood" working, to building a career without a clear path. Bobby shares honest insights on curiosity, leadership, and the realities of driving change across organisations. What's covered? Why understanding the wider system is key to progression How careers in primary care often evolve (rather than follow a set path) The role curiosity plays in building influence and knowledge The balance between collaboration, decision-making, and pace What actually makes a meeting effective (and worth attending) Why titles matter more than we sometimes like to admit This episode offers a practical look at leadership beyond job titles, and how to navigate ambiguity, build relationships, and make an impact in a constantly evolving system. Get in touch with Bobby on LinkedIn here .
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